Labour and Employment Minister, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar met with the representatives of the Central Trade Union Organisation (CTUO) to discuss their 12 Point Charter of Demands and call off their plan for demonstration. The CTUO and BMS (Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh) had decided to hold a nation-wide demonstration on 9, 10 and 17 November, to push for consideration of their demands.

The 12 Point Charter of Demands by CTUO raises issues of Minimum Wage, price rise, unemployment, disinvestment, universal social security, compulsory registration of trade unions, increase in Minimum Pension under EPFO and strict compliance and enforcement of labour laws.

In the meeting, the minister emphasised on engaging in constructive discussion to solve the issues raised and uphold the demonstration. He told them that the Government and the Labour and Employment Ministry have always cared for the labourers and taken decisions in their favour.

He also talked about some of the initiatives the Government has taken, such as simultaneous increase in minimum wages, the provision for National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) in the proposed Labour Code on Wages, the Bonus Amendment Act, the decision to enhance Minimum Pension to Rs 1000/- as well as other initiatives taken by other ministries.

On the other hand, the trade union representatives demanded that the Government address the issues of increasing Minimum Pension to Rs 3000/- as well as Minimum Wage. They also discussed the enforcement of labour laws and social security for unorganised and contractual workers.

The unions were updated with the current progress on their 12 Point Charter of Demands by the Ministry.